White House may not force budget showdown over money for border wall

Posted: 8:06 am Tuesday, April 25th, 2017

By Staff Writer

The White House is signaling that the Trump Administration will not insist that a stop gap government funding bill include money to build a wall along the border with Mexico, as negotiations continued with Congress on a plan that would avert a government shutdown on Friday night.

“If you’re actually trying to build a 2200 mile wall, it’s probably not going to happen,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), as GOP lawmakers instead suggested money could be approved for a wall, simply by lumping it into broader security upgrades along the border.

“There are a combination of efforts that will be effective along the border, including a wall in some places, and technology in other places,” said Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH).

“It’s basically technology and other pieces, it’s not been this been concrete wall discussion,” said Sen. James Lankford (R-OK).

Don't let the fake media tell you that I have changed my position on the WALL. It will get built and help stop drugs, human trafficking etc.

As lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill from a two week Easter break, those who would favor pushing ahead on money for the border wall indicated to reporters that such a plan – on its own – seemed short on votes, especially with the threat of a government shutdown at the end of the week.

“Would I vote to fund it, yes,” said Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “But will enough other people vote to fund it, we don’t know yet.”

“Some things just take time, and don’t occur real quick,” said Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) on Fox Business, as he expressed confidence that the Trump Administration would win money for the wall later in the year.

But for now, the President was making clear that he was not ready for an all out fight with Congress on money for the wall, which he long said would be paid for by Mexico.

Trump told conservative media tonight Wall money may have to wait until Sept….

“The President’s comments this evening are welcome news given the bipartisan opposition to the wall,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, as Democrats again made clear they would not help the GOP pass a spending measure with money targeted for the wall.